Synthesis of N-doped carbon with a high concentration of pyridinic N using a zeolite template method with pyridine as the deposition source

Abstract

In recent years, N-doped carbon has emerged as an important electrode material because of its cost-effectiveness, high durability, and environmentally friendly characteristics. The catalytic activity of carbon atoms adjacent to nitrogen is contingent upon the position of nitrogen within the graphene lattice. Among various nitrogen species, pyridinic nitrogen is considered particularly effective in establishing an excellent active site for electrocatalytic applications. Nevertheless, achieving selective nitrogen doping poses challenges, given the high-temperature heat treatment required for carbon material synthesis. This study used pyridine, containing inherent pyridinic nitrogen with basicity, as the deposition source. The catalyst was synthesized using the zeolite template method, which allows adsorption on zeolite acid sites. The resulting catalysts showed a substantial presence of pyridinic N and high activity in oxygen reduction reactions (onset potential: 0.92 V vs. RHE).